The National Football League has faced criticism over the years due to the Pro Bowl and their selection process. While fans vote, coaches and players also have input in the matter.

Over the last week, social media fans have been very disgusted to hear about several athletes not reaching the Pro Bowl, while others who statistically performed less were awarded the accomplishment. One example would be Jacksonville Jaguars rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and how he failed to make the cut.

Thomas Jr. was drafted with the 23rd selection in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Jaguars and instantly made an impact. While his team did not win a whole lot of games this past year, he statistically was a difference maker on the football field. The LSU star finished his rookie campaign catching 80 receptions for 1,179 yards, and 10 touchdowns.

Sports media outlets covered the Thomas Jr. snub by comparing his statistical output to Baltimore Ravens second-year receiver Zay Flowers, prompting many to question the Pro Bowl committee’s standards for yet another year. When comparing Flowers to Thomas Jr., one could see that the rookie receiver beat Flowers in every single category but one – rush attempts. Thomas Jr. had six rush attempts while Flowers had eight.

https://t.co/qPRXKBtEmm pic.twitter.com/YCrsWRomeL

— Dillon Appleman (@dillappleman) January 2, 2025

This is not the first time that promising athletes have been snubbed from the Pro Bowl and it certainly will not be the last.

Just a season ago, I covered an article on Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and him not making it. Budda Baker from the Arizona Cardinals made it over him and the statistics were not even close. Baker registered zero interceptions, forced fumbles, sacks, and fumble recoveries while Winfield Jr. registered three interceptions, six forced fumbles, six sacks, and four fumble recoveries. Anyone looking at those statistics would and should immediately pick Winfield Jr. to win, but that was not and will continue to not be the case with the NFL’s product.

The once fun and exciting exhibition game that is the week before the Super Bowl had more meaning behind it. There was a sense of respect and honor when players were named to the Pro Bowl and it ultimately paved the way for many Hall of Fame players to get their gold jacket.

This has certainly changed over the years, prompting for the cancellation of the game. While some individuals in the media would prefer fans to stop complaining about the selection process as it is a lost cause; I, however, believe that it should continue to be brought up each year until something is done about it. It’s quite simple: bringing back the meaning of the Pro Bowl should be the direct focus and that does not happen unless the process behind player selection is authentic and accurate.

Brian Thomas Jr.’s snub is just sadly one of many over the years. It is time to end the guessing and favoritism and put together an accurate and authentic selection process, one that will make the athletes feel appreciated for their hard work and dedication to their skillful craft of playing in the National Football League.